1. ¹Department of Engineering Management, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, U.S.A.
2. ²Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Department, University of Central Orlando, FL, U.S.A.

Correspondence: Rafael E. Landaeta, Department of Engineering Management, Old Dominion University, 241 Kaufman Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A. Tel: +1 757 412 7171; Fax: +1 757 683 5640; E-mail: rlandaet@odu.edu

Received 15 February 2008; Accepted 15 July 2008.

Abstract

This exploratory investigation contributes empirical findings on the relationship between emotional intelligence and the use of knowledge transfer methods in the project environment. Emotional intelligence can be generally defined as the ability to effectively recognize and manage emotions to achieve individual and/or group objectives. Knowledge transfer has been generally defined as the process in which knowledge flows from knowledge sources to knowledge recipients. An exploratory hypothesis was tested using data collected from project managers and members of project teams from a variety of project-based organizations. The findings of this study suggest that there are noteworthy relationships between emotional intelligence factors and the use of specific methods to transfer knowledge within and across projects. The results of this investigation can be used by knowledge management researchers as a foundation for further research and development in the area of knowledge transfer and sharing in the project environment.